Etsy Recyclers Guild Facelift , Team News, & Purple Passion Treasury

Adorable Purple Barbie Dress by Gordon4aday

Hello teamies! Our blog has gotten a new facelift (hey, it's purple) and I'm happy to report a few things :

1) We will be offering both a vintage spotlight and a handmade spotlight going forward, so that we may highlight both kinds of shops!

2) Immense thank you's to Retreaux Girl who will be working hard in the team forums with Lizzie Caye that are housed on Etsy.  They are here and something you should use!  Just stop by to say hi, or ask for help, or discuss anything.  Due to recent announcements on Etsy about their main forums going "bye-byes", OUR team forum will be the main place for us to network and bond.  :) That sounds like fun doesn't it?

3) Our Contest closes Feb 14th, and is a great way for you to exposure your shop along with someone else's--and since we'll be featuring the winner on this very blog with freebies and free advertising worth $200+ how can you beat that?  All you have to do is write one silly little BLOG POST (or article on your site.)  You can't beat that.  Make sure to send this contest to all your firends and family, as they don't have to be Etsians! It's all about the networking!

4) Soon after that look for cool treasury challenges.  Why make treasuries? Because it exposes products to others, and gets your products viewed, tweeted, facebooked and talked about.  For just a few minutes of work, it sure is a lot of exposure! Speaking of treasuries...

'Purple Passion' by VintageHillbilly

etsy recyclers guild in shades of purplemade with recycled loveor eco friendly processescan i get a big hillbilly he*** yeah?

Hoot NobleUpcycling $25.00	Purple Circle Repurposed Bro... Retreauxgirl $45.00	Purple Black Mohair Top Shir... Brokenghostcou... $69.00
Triple Orchid Necklace in Pu... emilygracesuit... $45.00	Baltimore Ravens Purple 52 B... cherspassion $8.00	Super Chic Easter Bonnet Top... TranzendentalA... $50.00
Purple Swirly Recycled Glass... Revivalvintage... $8.00	Ira Mency Sea Shell Pendant ... RetroChalet $14.95	the purpled up in plaid bloo... sweetanddirtys $18.00
Rich Violet Metal Earrings beadsbuttonsan... $9.99	Purple Tee Hat w/ Hot Pink F... ohzie $10.00	1 3/4 Inch 5 Petal Flower Ri... AnBlathPaipeir $15.00
Hello Kitty Sugar Skull - Re... islandgirlzjew... $9.95	Purple Rose Wool felt brooch... FeltedWoolies $11.00	Cuff Deep Purple LeChatCrochet $8.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

Meet Red Umbrella Design Etsy Shop! ( RedUmbrellaDesign216 )

 

It's time to meet the very talented Marina Marquez,  with help from collage artist hubby George Potts from Cleveland Ohio.  Marina's shop, RedUmbrellaDesign216, brings us whimsical upcycled arts and home decor!  Marina says, "I'm a stay home mama who gets to play with my daughter Luna everyday. She is my inspiration and also our future. With this in mind, I enjoy making art, functional art, such as, owl mobiles, T'OWLS (owl stuffies), children's clothes, and collages out of organic, reclaimed/recycled materials. Packaging materials are also eco-friendly."

Screech owl mobile!

Marina was actually a sculptor who worked in metals, plastics, and recycled materials. Due to some of the techniques required for making her sculptures, she had to suspend the making of them during her pregnancy, which allowed her to explore other crafts such as these great "Scrappy Owl Mobiles" and TOWLS (stuffed owl pillows!)

Scrappy Owl Mobiles are so adorable, and she has a wide variety of species!

TOWLS are stuffed owl pillows!

Mini towls!

She explains, "The T'OWLS are made from reclaimed/recycled 100% cotton towels, stuffed with organic bamboo fiber, and hand stitched. They are 100% environmentally friendly! Care involves a gentle wash cycle & air dry!"

Not My Cup of Tea, Really (Collage, 2008)

Among other whimsical things you will find original collage prints, like these--these particular ones printed from her husband George Potts' original collages which can be bought framed or unframed. This collage art is wonderful and I admire his talents so.

Domestic Violence II (collage, 2008)

Be sure to welcome Marina to the team!

Catch up with Marina :

Blogs/links:
On Her Blog
On Her Main Blog
On Facebook
Twitter
Etsy Shop

Amanda Bess Allen Jewelry Creations Are Here: Manda 216 on Etsy

I adore the colors in this cuff bracelet.  Amanda makes them all unique.

Amanda Bess Allen comes to us out of   Dexter, Michigan. She's a vegan jewelry maker and crafter in the Manda216 shop on Etsy. She uses upcycled and recycled goods in her work and designs.  Amanda's creations are unique, spunky, and the color palettes she chooses for her work, flow together lovely.

This necklace demonstrates Amanda's amazing ability to use different components for a unique look.

Surely wearing one of these pieces would have people asking, "Who designed that?"  Her work is on display and available in the Mona Lisa Salon in Dexter, Michigan.

Click here to visit the salon for hours and more info. 

Amanda says, "Recycling is an important part of my life. Many of my shop items are made with recycled paper or vintage parts. I like to recycle or reuse anything that I can, and I love to makeover old pieces and give them a fresh start."

Natural shells really set this necklace off. 

 She says, "I like making all different types of things and working with different materials.
 I love color, and I love pieces that are funky and unique."

Handmade Paper Beads and a gorgeous color palette adorn this necklace.

When not making jewelry, Amanda is finding the beauty in nature and taking wonderful photographs like these gorgeous pumpkins....

Photography by Amanda Bess Allen, click HERE to visit photo gallery.

Find Amanda on TWITTER,  ETSY, and check out her Personal Photography Website!

Harvest Moon By Hand: The Loveliest Stars I've Ever Seen

SHOP    BLOG  TWITTER FACEBOOK FLICKR

Meet  Ann, who is also known as the brains behind Harvest Moon by Hand, a gorgeous shop of paper window stars, creative reuse kits, decor, natural handmade toys and more.  A mom to two beautiful girls adopted from China,  Ann enjoys crafting and homeschooling.  Located in Scandia, Minnesota she stays busy  networking, spreading the "Creative Reuse Bug" and stocking her store with great items.

Felt mice are so adorable and a natural eco friendly gift idea!

She explains, "I have  been an avid recycler since childhood when we would bring our recycling to a recycling facility (this was before there was curbside recycling). Recycling and reuse is second-nature to me, and I'm happy to continue to add products in my shop that reflect this commitment.  "

Different levels of the CRC are available in her store.

Ann takes her love for recycling a step further encouraging others. She runs a "Creative Reuse Club" and offers basic and deluxe membership packages for this in her store. She explains, "Harvest Moon by Hand’s Creative Reuse Club (CRC) is open to any person who is interested in organic, natural, and recycled products and crafty project ideas. "  Included in the Deluxe Club Membership is an official member card, special discounts,  quarterly newsletters, and  sample pack!  More information available here.  What a great way to spread the Creative Reuse bug!

I am captivated by these window stars.

Ahhhh, the stars.  I've been admiring the many in her shop for some time now, as her store is stocked with them. Perhaps it is the colorful creation and choice of styles, the overlap of colors or bright hues, or just the simple fact that they will brighten your day and make you smile that makes them so desirable.  Skilled in origami, Ann explains, " I make the stars by hand-folding small squares of paper, overlaying the folded
paper, and then gluing them together to create different patterns."  They are so lovely.

DIY :Makeup Mirror Stocking Stuffers Compact Reuse Kid Friendly Craft Project

Makeup Mirror Stocking Stuffers are huge around my part of the woods.  This cute little idea can be done by you or with the family for a fun added touch at the holidays. This is also a great craft project for teachers to do with their kids. 

Throughout the year I save all my old powder compacts that I've used, or the ones I get as gifts and never use. They are hard plastic, and not normally recyclable, so I’ve found another use for them. If you aren’t a powder diva, ask a few friends, and something is bound to turn up. The bottom of most powders, blushers, or eyeshadow containers have a metal insert where the actual makeup was. These are glued with a tacky glue that should become gooey if you soak the entire thing in hot water, allowing you to pry the insert off.

STEP ONE: Soak the container and pry the metal insert, (if there is one) out with a butter knife. Clean out the old makeup out of all the crevices. In this case, the compact looks really scuffed and scratched up, but no worries, because it’s going to transform into something lovely.

Metal Insert comes out with a little hot water soaking and a butter knife!

STEP TWO: Gather your supplies: Paper, Scissors, Elmers or Mod Podge Glue, and a paint brush. When it comes to paper, there’s nothing you shouldn’t use. Scrapbooking supplies, old magazines, bits of paper bags, newspaper or old books laying around will make great cup ups for this project. If this is a special present from a child, a hand colored picture would look lovely.

STEP THREE: Decorate the outside. In this example, I decided to make something for Melissa, (hence the M) , a blond retro girl who loves to read hence the vintage text on the cover. Three coats of Mod Podge made it very shiny, so the original scratched up condition wasn’t an issue.

STEP FOUR: After the cover dries, it’s time to add special touches on the inside area. I like to set the paper inside, pushing into the corners, to get the perfect creases for cutting. I did a mini collage inside here. I’ve even put some decorations on the mirror itself, but from trial and error learned that the glue atop the mirror make a real mess. Add at least three coats.

STEP FIVE: The back side should be a special place for you to add an inscription so choose something to glue down like you did in Steps 3 and 4. On this particular one, I cut out a Chiristmas decoration and that’s where I’ll use a marker later and do my “to” and “from” and my happy little message.

STEP SIX: Do a quick clean of the mirror, then fill it up with something special. Add some money, fold up a gift certificate, stick in a special pendant or necklace. In this case I’m filling it with pendants and as you can see, two large ones fit perfectly. You don’t need money to complete this gift. You can always choose to add in a “free yardwork”, “free babysitting”, or “free chores” coupon for an added touch.

Please share this idea with your friends!~

Welcome Sweet Buddha - Journals, Supplies, and A Blog YOU Must Read

The Hand of Life Set of 5 Cards , $12

Welcome to Sweet Buddha's Etsy shop.  Diana is a mixed media artist who creates out of her studio in Brooklyn, New York. More often than not, she's referred to as, "The Craftaholic".

Summer Vacation Mini Scrapbook, $25

She admits her speciality is upcycled cardboard art journals but her love for art and inspiration to share with others (check out her post on Fantasy Fiber Journal Cover) expands beyond that.  She loves knitting and crocheting (a couture shop on Etsy for that too), making shrine boxes, designing, blogging, and teacher workshops in and around New York City.

Gorgeous tags she made with bottle caps appeared on her blog, "Confessions of a Craftaholic".

In her Etsy shop, you may find handmade Lino Blocks (stampers), thank you cards, gift tags, and some of her handmade art. These are under the category she calls  'stuff to make stuff.'  These items should be nabbed up immediately, as they are cute, chic, and priced right.  Probably why they don't stay around too long.

Paper Embellishments (Flowers) normally available in sets of three!

Custom Lino Blocks are available, if out of stock convo her and she'll set up a listing!

 
She told Art Glitter Blog , "I describe my style as 'Vintage City Grunge', and take my creative inspiration from the artist Jean Michel Basquiat, The Buddha, Nature, and from my collections of vintage paraphernalia including records, perfume bottles and vintage cookbooks."

Hand Carved Tibetan Buddha and Lotus Stamp Set $18

I'm very much in awe of Sweet Buddha's shop, and the fact she does great with social networking.   She has an awesome blog you should read, by clicking HERE, or on the butterfly below.  Make sure to check out all her great links in our member directory for more information and her photo galleries. Lastly, welcome her to our team!

Spotlight on House of Mirth: Etsy's Best Kept Secret - Make this your home for holiday shopping!

November 2010 Spotlight Award:

This 1920's Bookmark, $14, under PaperArts section of the studio 
makes a great gift for the book lover!

As an fellow artist and vintage junkie, I am totally captivated the "House of Mirth" shop on Etsy.  If you haven't visited it yet, you should indeed.  From the brainchild of Recycled Wares, and Paper Picker, you will find  by Nerrissa's  handmade goods lurking here. 

Doubled sided pendant, only $18.99 FREE SHIPPING as of now at House of Mirth.

I think what enthralls me most, is her eye for detail and functionality of her artwork.  Her love of all things yesteryear mixed with the care and concern of using post consumer products like fiber, wood and paper show in her work.  You see it in the transformation...from trash...to functional treasure. 

The Upcycled Lung pendant / brooch is one of many "medical styles" 
available in this shop and makes a unique fashion statement. 

Yet again I find myself admiring her work and drawn back to the bookmarks. I admit, I have no time to read anymore....

...yet this lady calls to me to find a place for her inside the pages of my favorite book.  Her store makes me want to wear brooches and pins again, because her love for all things vintage show in the wonderful jewelry offerings. 

Most brooches range around $23.99, this one free shipping in the Jewelry section.

They say you learn something new every day.  I heard of woodburning, but actually did not realize what the term Pyrography was until I visited her shop.  According to Wikipedia, "pyrography means 'writing with fire' and is the traditional art of using a heated tip or wire to burn or scorch designs onto natural materials such as wood or leather."

Set of clothespins, hold recipes, money, scrap-booking papers and more! , set $8.99 in the Pyrography section.

There's something eclectic here, charming and inviting all in one. Sit back with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea and admire her work. 

Team members, I urge you to favorite her items, blog about this store, add one of her offerings as a link to your Facebook page, and help this very talented artist's work get out there.  It's way too wonderful to be Etsy's Best Kept Secret.